Serum antibodies to the major HSV-2-specified DNA-binding protein in patients with an acute HSV infection or cervical neoplasia.

The major HSV-2-specified DNA-binding protein (ICSP 11/12) was purified from HSV-2-infected cells. ELISA and immunoblotting techniques were used to study its antigenicity in HSV-infected patients and patients with cervical neoplasia and control women. Patients with an acute HSV-2 infection had clearcut antibody responses to the purified ICSP 11/12 preparation. Determination of the ICSP 11/12 antibodies by ELISA revealed considerably higher serum antibody levels in patients with cervical carcinoma than in the controls.